To state it openly is to run the risk of being ridiculed and made to appear a fool. But someone has to do it. Truth can be discomforting. For centuries prophets have been stoned and even put to death for exactly this reason. Dr. Helga Do Rosario Gomes, the oceanographer of the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University has been bang on target with her views about activism in Goa. She says, "Activists have their heart in the right place but there is a need for expertise, to inform about what should be done and how." (Navhind Times, 4/3/11) Public statements like "we will keep them on a tight leash if elected........." or "we are aware of all these elements in our ranks and have kept things in our control" are signs of immaturity. It makes one wonder whether such activists know what they are speaking? Such irresponsible utterances can only come from politicians knowing that their public swearings are not bound by any accountability and transparency rules. Emotions are necessary for an activist. But when emotions alone becomes the driving force, reason is more than often blinded. Therefore, activism in Goa has been reduced to a one time assembly of persons liberating their vocal chords at a small gathering in the city and the next moment it is more than often a foregone conclusion about some morcha at Azad Maidan or Lohia Maidan. Absence of any logical analysis of situations is the prime deficiency observed of most movements in Goa. But considering from history that agitations in liberated Goa are more than often riddled with political motives and self propelling agendas, how can one expect such activists to give the public enough time to make informed choices? Crooked agendas can only be achieved by driving the ignorant to action even before they realise the actual truth. It is here that whipping up emotions works miracles. Anyone appealing for sanity gets rubbished as a pessimist or Government agent. Any questions as to the motives throws up the most expected remarks; "if you know better come for the meetings and present your views." or "if you know better you should do it." There is nothing more any inquisitive person can say knowing fully well that solutions and strategies for community interventions are not always a matter to be voiced in public forums. Any attempt to appeal to reason meets with defensiveness and offence. And the story ends here. Expertise has kept away from immature forums as it could mean inviting trouble of sorts for oneself. So as the Goan activist beats the drums for yet another road show in the run up to the 2011 Assembly polls, a first glance reveals that it is the same old wine of 2007 in a new bottle. Label different, contents same. The only acheivement will be that a few more goans will be left bitter after May 2012 on realising that they were used. The outcome and the end is anyones guess. There may not be an 'alpha' but definitely an 'omega' is imminent.
-Soter
